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Poem
March 29, 1794
The New Hampshire Gazette
Portsmouth, Rockingham County, New Hampshire
What is this article about?
A satirical song lamenting rising British taxes and debts from a costly war against tyrannical despots, criticizing government measures that ruin trade and starve peasants, urging pacification and national unity.
Clipping
OCR Quality
95%
Excellent
Full Text
What now must be ev'ry gull'd Briton's surprise,
Sir!
Our debts are not lessen'd our taxes must rise,
Sir!
And both must increase—must increase to a size,
Sir,
Above what we're able to bear.
O! what can the matter be, &c.
What devil was he that advis'd such a measure.
Thus madly to lavish our blood and our treasure,
A pack of tyrannical despots to pleasure,
Without any profit whate'er?
O! what can the matter be. &c.
While we are the cause of Ambition subferving,
Our trade is decaying, our peasants are starving;
God send, that the monsters may meet their deferving,
Who thus drive us on to despair.
O! what can the matter be, &c.
Is this—is it not, a most artful invention,
From odious REFORMS to withdraw our attention,
And kindle the flames of intestine dissention?
Ah! Britons! attend to the snare.
O! what can the matter be, &c.
Tell, Englishmen! tell him, with one acclamation,
Such measures will speedily ruin the nation.
And tell your good K——g that a pacification
Is ev'ry true Englishman's prayer.
Sir!
Our debts are not lessen'd our taxes must rise,
Sir!
And both must increase—must increase to a size,
Sir,
Above what we're able to bear.
O! what can the matter be, &c.
What devil was he that advis'd such a measure.
Thus madly to lavish our blood and our treasure,
A pack of tyrannical despots to pleasure,
Without any profit whate'er?
O! what can the matter be. &c.
While we are the cause of Ambition subferving,
Our trade is decaying, our peasants are starving;
God send, that the monsters may meet their deferving,
Who thus drive us on to despair.
O! what can the matter be, &c.
Is this—is it not, a most artful invention,
From odious REFORMS to withdraw our attention,
And kindle the flames of intestine dissention?
Ah! Britons! attend to the snare.
O! what can the matter be, &c.
Tell, Englishmen! tell him, with one acclamation,
Such measures will speedily ruin the nation.
And tell your good K——g that a pacification
Is ev'ry true Englishman's prayer.
What sub-type of article is it?
Satire
Song
What themes does it cover?
Political
Taxation Tyranny
War Military
What keywords are associated?
British Taxes
War Debts
Political Satire
Tyrannical Despots
Pacification Prayer
National Ruin
Poem Details
Form / Style
Rhymed Verses With Refrain
Key Lines
What Now Must Be Ev'ry Gull'd Briton's Surprise, Sir! Our Debts Are Not Lessen'd Our Taxes Must Rise, Sir!
What Devil Was He That Advis'd Such A Measure. Thus Madly To Lavish Our Blood And Our Treasure, A Pack Of Tyrannical Despots To Pleasure,
Tell, Englishmen! Tell Him, With One Acclamation, Such Measures Will Speedily Ruin The Nation. And Tell Your Good K——G That A Pacification Is Ev'ry True Englishman's Prayer.